Shocking moment drunk driver almost four times over the limit swerves into oncoming traffic in front of terrified drivers – The Irish Sun

THIS is the terrifying moment a drunk driver crosses a busy motorway into oncoming traffic.

Walerij Mirosznikow, 53, was more than four times over the legal limit when he swerved onto the M25.

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The Russian citizen’s terrifying walk along the national highway lasted 10 minutes.

He was driving on the M25 before stopping and performing a five-point turn which left his car facing the wrong direction.

The terrifying scene ended when Walerij crashed his Toyota Yaris at a roundabout on the A25 near Sevenoaks.

The cops then swooped in and arrested the drunk motorist.

However, Walerij, who lives in Chatham, Kent, was spared jail by a judge who told him it was a “miracle” no one was hurt.

The drunk driver had a breath alcohol reading of 136 micrograms.

The legal limit for driving under the influence of alcohol is 35 mcg.

“This is prolonged and continuous driving,” said prosecutor Alban Brahimi.

“There were ten minutes in which it was caught on the dash cam and then four more minutes before reaching the roundabout.

“There was also the very dangerous maneuver of driving in the wrong direction, having taken a bend when there was none available.

“Fortunately there were no injuries, but there was damage to his vehicle.”

Mirosznikow gave two interviews without comment following his arrest, even after being shown the footage, but later admitted to driving dangerously, under the influence of alcohol and without a licence.

He was fined £40 by Sevenoaks Magistrates Court for driving without a licence.

The driver’s defense lawyer, Eleanor Gwilym, said her client’s behavior was an “anomaly” and added that Mirosznikow had expressed remorse after the incident.

He added: “He now feels stupid and remorseful and has explained to me that he went through a pretty difficult time in his life at the time this was committed and that his marriage broke down quite recently.

“It can be considered something exceptional and is susceptible to being rehabilitated.

“He hasn’t had anything to drink since this incident, not even socially.”

THE GUILTY IS SAVED FROM JAIL

Recorder Nicola Williams imposed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, with 200 hours of unpaid work and up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

“I think it’s always a real shame when someone reaches the age of 52, which they were then and they’re 53 now, and they find themselves in the dock,” he told Mirosznikow through an interpreter.

“Now you are a drunk driver and a thief.

“But there is always something positive that can be said about anyone and that includes you.

“You pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity so as not to waste the court’s additional time and money on an unnecessary trial.

“I have also read the pre-sentence report about the breakdown of your second marriage and the immensely personal reasons, that you suffer from depression and that at least you have now tried to cope with it with medication.

“I’m told you haven’t had anything to drink since this incident either. That’s particularly impressive.

“However, as impressive as it is, and as much strength as it takes to not drink alcohol for such a long period of time, his driving was absolutely atrocious.

“You made a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road.
“It was a dangerous and prolonged drive that lasted at least ten minutes.

“Everything was harmed by the drink. You were almost four times the legal amount.

“It was only by some miracle that you didn’t damage anyone’s vehicle, cause anyone any injuries or, because of the way you were driving well over the limit, kill anyone.”

Williams also imposed a minimum one-year legal driving ban on Mirosznikow applicable to dangerous driving and drink-driving offences, although he was ordered to take an extended test to obtain a licence.

He must also pay £150 court costs and a £187 victim surcharge.

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